I want to transfer to a charter school.

So I’ve been teaching for 4 years. I did a year of middle school and 3 years of high school in a very diverse, non-suburban district. My specific school has a lot of issues—- gang activity, violence, drugs. I have loved my colleagues and especially my kids. But lately I have felt so defeated. I feel like I can’t make a difference and it’s really taking a toll on my mental health. I’m pondering transferring to a nearby charter school. It’s very different from my school, nearly all white and in an affluent neighborhood. This charter is known for its test scores and college prep curriculum. I’m excited for the possibility of teaching real literature and not having to deal with fights and gun threats, but in the back of my mind I know I signed up for this. I signed up to teach kids who need an education the most, to teach kids who might not otherwise receive a good education. Many of my students are immigrants who come to school not speaking a word of English, or homeless teens who don’t know where their next meal is coming from. I feel guilty when I think about leaving them. But I think I have to for my own sanity and my relationships. Current school 0, sanity 1.